I got to lead a Bible Study for the first time at a house church last week. I thought I would blog what I taught about, which was James 1:2-18. (I have typed up all the verses and they’re all in ESV.)
James 1:2-4, 12 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing… 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” When I read this passage, I think of Job. I think about the trials that he went through.
Job 1:8 “8 And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’…” Satan comes before God and God asks Satan if he has noticed Job. If he has noticed how faithful Job is to God. Satan then asks God if he can test Job, put him through trials, and God gives him permission to do so. Satan then goes and takes everything away from Job.
[After his servants tell him that he lost everything] Job 1:20-22 “20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Even after Job loses everything, he worships God! In fact, right after he finds out he lost everything (including his children) he worships God! Remember James 1:3 “3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Instead of sinning, Job worships God, and therefore shows his steadfastness to God. [Steadfast means ‘Fixed or unchanging; steady’ ‘Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving’]
Job 2:3 “3And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.’ ” God praises Job for his integrity and faithfulness to Him even though Job has lost everything. Satan then asks God again if he can test Job and God gives Satan permission. God says that Satan can do whatever he wants to Job, as long as he spares Job’s life. Job 2:7-10 “7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.’ 10 But he said her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” After being struck with sores from head-to-toe Job still doesn’t sin. Job is literally at the lowest he can get, and he doesn’t sin. He is still faithful to God through his trials! His trials are not from God, but God is allowing them to happen. God considers Job worthy enough to go through these trials. To be tested. God knows that Job is faithful and that he will be steadfast to Him.
Job 42:10 “10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” James 1:12 “12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Not only did God restore to Job everything that he lost, but God gave Job twice as much as he had before! God blessed Job for his faithfulness and steadfastness through the trials he had. Remember that God is always with you through your trials.
James 1:5-8 “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Matthew 6:24 “24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” If you are doubting during your trials, aren’t you serving two masters? You are questioning God and showing that you don’t trust Him. You are devoting yourself to doubt and worry instead of God. You are serving those things instead of trusting Him.
James 1:9-11 “9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” Remember that life here on earth is not long. We’re here only temporarily. Especially compared to how long we will be in Heaven. So, if we are going through trials, shouldn’t we praise God. One, He counts us worthy enough to go through trials. It helps us grow and it helps to strengthen our faith. Two, if life here is only for a short time, why not go through trials? They won’t last forever. God has a reason for us going through them anyway. It may even be just to show others how faithful you are to Him. You may be an example of someone who has gone through everything and is still falling to the ground and worshipping God. That is so hard to do and always “awe” striking when someone does it.
James 1:13-18 “13 Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift is and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” This is a reminder that the trials you are going through are not from God. He knows that they are going on and He is allowing that, but evil is not from Him.
So to summarize:
1) If you are going through trials, count it a joy and remember that God will reward you for it. Even if it’s the crown of life and you have to wait extra-long; life is only a short time here on earth.
2) Count yourself worthy to be going through trials and remember to be faithful and steadfast to God through them! He is always with you through the trials. If you are in need of something, ask God in your faith.
Until the next time……
